England Vs France - Saturday 10th Dec 7pm Kick off
So now it gets real! France will be a huge test of our ability to defend under pressure and to create and take opportunities against a very good side. Both teams have performed well against opposition which they should have been able to beat, and both have also had a poor match within the group stage.
I do fear a little that Southgate may approach too timidly and allow France to impose themselves on the match similar to how Moyes sets us up against top four opposition, matches in which we often only come alive after conceding. In my view we should try and take the game to them and make it a physical encounter, pressing and attacking with pace. Saka has been great in my view and will cause them problems, and if we can get Bellingham into forward positions, he can cause a bit of havoc also. I think they have as much reason to fear us as we do them.
A week to rest and prepare and a Saturday night game, this tournament is warming up nicely now.
I do fear a little that Southgate may approach too timidly and allow France to impose themselves on the match similar to how Moyes sets us up against top four opposition, matches in which we often only come alive after conceding. In my view we should try and take the game to them and make it a physical encounter, pressing and attacking with pace. Saka has been great in my view and will cause them problems, and if we can get Bellingham into forward positions, he can cause a bit of havoc also. I think they have as much reason to fear us as we do them.
A week to rest and prepare and a Saturday night game, this tournament is warming up nicely now.
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Comments
It is also the measure of not just the players we call great but the superstar players. How often was Maradona man marked and yet still ran the show? not to mention having lumps kicked out of him.
Think Mbappe might even go down the middle to outpace Maguire/Stones rather than staying out wide against Walker
I’d be tempted to go like: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Walker, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden, and then just have Walker go wherever Mbappe goes. Essentially take the pair of them out of the game and make it 10 vs 10.
Alternatively, maybe Henderson would be good at that job. I only pick Walker because of his pace, but actually for concentration and ability to stick to task I think Henderson may be better suited for it.
Meep meep
A couple of ales during the game and then have my steak and chips, bearing in mind the possibilities of extra time and pens?
OR
Early dinner and a decent Rioja to wash it down?
And people think Southgate’s got it hard.
Then get right on it 🍷
Aaabosh
MrsG might not like
#dairyleagate 🔼
“ Ooh controversial selection tonight, he’s gone for the red wine, thoughts Rio?”.
“Wow,I didn’t expect that. Surely tonight of all nights he should’ve gone for an English beer?I mean red wine, it’s a bit French innit?”
VAR is all well and good, but its remit is limited; a biased or poor ref can still have a huge impact on the game, and is doing so atm.
Come on England.